Chile! Southwest Airways had social media customers scrambling for solutions on Tuesday (March 11) after switching up their checked luggage coverage. For 54 years, the corporate has allowed ALL passengers to fly with two luggage free. Nicely, the corporate opted to kick custom to the curb! In only a few weeks, free baggage will now not be a perk for everybody, only for a choose few.
RELATED: Man Complains About Crying Child On Southwest Flight: “Did That MF Pay Extra To Yell?”
Southwest Reveals New Checked Baggage Coverage
As talked about, Southwest Airways will quickly start charging clients a payment to verify luggage. However get into this! Final fall, firm executives mentioned that Southwest’s free checked luggage coverage helps it stand out in comparison with different funds airways. Moreover, Southwest has spent years and tens of millions on promoting campaigns selling the coverage. All different main U.S. airways cost for checked baggage. However, Wall Road has lengthy argued that Southwest was leaving cash behind.
Not in 2025, although! It is going to be slashing the journey perk for many of its clients, starting with tickets booked on Might 28 and after. Southwest mentioned Tuesday that it might proceed to supply two free checked luggage to Fast Rewards A-Checklist most popular members and clients touring on Enterprise Choose fares. A-Checklist members and different choose clients will get one free checked bag. Passengers with Fast Rewards bank cards may also obtain a credit score for one checked bag.
Individuals who don’t qualify for these classes shall be charged to verify luggage. When the coverage change takes impact, the airline mentioned it might additionally roll out a brand new, primary fare on its lowest-priced tickets.
Why This Is Taking place & Different Pending Adjustments
In September 2024, Southwest Airways estimated that charging bag charges would usher in about $1.5 billion a 12 months. Nevertheless, additionally they admitted that slicing the coverage would value $1.8 billion in misplaced enterprise from clients who selected to fly its airways due to its free baggage allowance.
“We have now great alternative to fulfill present and future buyer wants, entice new buyer segments we don’t compete for in the present day, and return to the degrees of profitability that each we and our shareholders count on,” CEO Bob Jordan mentioned in a press release.
So, why is that this taking place? Southwest has struggled not too long ago and is below stress from activist traders to spice up income and income. In October, the airline reached a truce with hedge fund Elliott Funding Administration to keep away from a proxy battle. Nonetheless, Elliott gained a number of seats on the corporate board.
Lower than a 12 months in the past, the Dallas-based airline introduced it was ending one other custom. After greater than 50 years, 2025 is the corporate’s final 12 months utilizing an open-boarding system. Southwest expects to start working flights with passengers in assigned seats subsequent 12 months.
Regardless of the stunning checked luggage switch-up, Southwest’s inventory rose greater than 9% Tuesday, according to the Associated Press. In the meantime, the corporate’s employment is more likely to pattern downward quickly. The airline introduced final month that it was eliminating 1,750 jobs or 15% of its company workforce. This can mark the primary main layoffs within the firm’s total historical past. CEO Jordan mentioned in February that the job cuts are a part of a plan to chop prices and rework the corporate right into a “leaner, sooner, and extra agile group.”
Social Media Is In SHAMBLES Over Airways Swap-Up
As talked about, Southwest gagged social media customers with their new checked luggage coverage. On X (formally Twitter), the reactions have been spicy, to say the least! Preserve scrolling to see how the web streets are reacting to Southwest dropping its most-enticing journey perk.
If Southwest Airways had assembled a spotlight group and requested them “what is the stupidest factor that we may do to destroy our firm,” that is what they might have give you. pic.twitter.com/sKHM2sFRK3
— Doug Gladden (@DougtheLawyer) March 11, 2025
There’s actually no motive to fly southwest now. The luggage have been actually the one benefit they’d https://t.co/tSr3SrqNxP
— Stella’s Brother (@MaggDaddy) March 11, 2025
That was a nasty transfer for Southwest Airways. They even may have dropped the free bag allowance all the way down to 1 . However snatching each free checked luggage is simply greed.
— KDub 🤎 (@AsToldByKristen) March 11, 2025
child who’s southwest making an attempt to impress???? no sky lounge, no tvs, 90 p.c of flights don’t have shops however you assume it’s okay to cost for baggage after virtually 60 years? I let yall slide with that assigned seat coverage however now this? get your shit collectively.
— TB🤴🏾 (@TevonBlair) March 11, 2025
Southwest letting you verify 2 luggage at no cost was the ONLY factor protecting them in enterprise. If I gotta pay for BOTH luggage now AND you value simply as a lot as a BETTER airline, why wouldn’t I’m going with them as a substitute? Their pockets are about to HURT!! This gained’t final lengthy 😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/mwSBOe9Bra
— The Actual Future Marilyn (@sweet_novacanee) March 11, 2025
Southwest cancels luggage fly free means they don’t know their clients. pic.twitter.com/cMCmonn0yJ
— Kevín (@KevOnStage) March 11, 2025
Until no different provider has a continuous flight to the place I must go, there’s 0 motive to fly southwest going ahead.
Delta, American, Alaska, and many others all have related pricing, and are higher airways after these adjustments. https://t.co/VvETTb4PX5
— Matthew Gaylor (@MatthewGaylor) March 11, 2025
“If luggage don’t fly free, I don’t fly with thee”
Sorry Southwest, all my golf journeys will go elsewhere now. Huge mistake y’all are making.@SouthwestAir— Chris (@AR_aces23) March 11, 2025
Might whoever determined to RUIN Southwest Airways be instantly fired and NEVER allowed to the touch the corporate once more pic.twitter.com/s9HfQ7ms3I
— Dylan (@DylanMcD8) March 11, 2025
Woah: @SouthwestAir goes to begin charging for baggage starting on Might 28 🤯
By no means thought I’d see at the present time. Choose elites and biz passengers nonetheless get 2 free luggage.
Fundamental economic system and different extra punitive adjustments are additionally coming quickly.
The Southwest of yesteryear is useless.
— Zach Griff (@_ZachGriff) March 11, 2025
As somebody who has flown virtually solely with Southwest Airways for the final 10 plus years I’m now not loyal. Will I presumably fly them once more certain however I’ve 0 loyalty and im not pleased about these adjustments. Would possibly Cancel their card even.
— Michael Oliver (@mikeoliver93) March 11, 2025
Southwest is ruining their total enterprise mannequin. Charging for luggages and assigned seats with no charging ports on most aircrafts? Pathetic.
— Tobi O. 🇳🇬📸 (@Heytobs) March 11, 2025
That is the way you destroy a model @SouthwestAir. This is among the main causes I select to fly this airline over American (of Dallas-based airways with one of the best nonstops)
The strikes Southwest is making are extremely disappointing for individuals who have been loyal to this airline https://t.co/rkNwDD2C08
— Amanda Atwell (@AmandaMAtwell) March 11, 2025
welp, it was enjoyable flying Southwest whereas it lasted
— . (@storyofhalima) March 11, 2025
RELATED: Say WHAT?! Southwest Airlines Pilot Reportedly Removed From Cockpit & Arrested For DUI
Related Press employees Michelle Chapman and Melissa Perez Winder contributed to this report.
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